MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday said it respects the decision of Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to return to the Supreme Court (SC) and end her indefinite leave which started last March 1.
“The decision of Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to end her indefinite leave and the reported ruling of the quo warranto petition against the Chief Justice are internal matters to the High Court,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement sent to media.
“The Executive recognizes judicial independence and respects the separation of powers of the three branches of government, including a functioning judiciary,” he added.
Lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, one of Sereno’s spokespersons, confirmed that Sereno arrived in her office on Wednesday, around 7:30 a.m.
Sereno’s return to work comes before the high court's conduct of a special en banc (full court) session to discuss the quo warranto petition filed against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida.
Acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio earlier said that that a special en banc session will be held at 10 a.m. Friday.
Sereno earlier filed a leave of absence to prepare her legal defense in her impeachment case once it reaches the Senate.
She is facing impeachment trial for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust filed by lawyer Larry Gadon.
In his complaint, Gadon claimed that Sereno did not declare in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) the “exorbitant lawyer’s fees” of USD745,000 or PHP37 million which she received from the Philippine government. (PNA)
